Hanoi Night Market

Hanoi night market, also known as Dong Xuan night market, is weekly held on weekend evenings in the Old Quarter of Ha Noi. It’s a very interesting place that all visitors should not miss if they have chance to travel to Hanoi. You will have a difference feeling about Hanoi at night.

Hanoi night market creates the walking street 

Hanoi night market spreads from Hang Dao Treet to Dong Xuan Market; this creates the walking street where all kinds of vehicles are not permitted.

There are a various kinds of products in Hanoi night market. People can find clothes, sweets, salted dry fruit (ô mai), decorations, toys, stationeries, sundry goods on the streets: Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, Luong Van Can, Hang Ma, Ngo Gach and Hang Ca, while goods and facilities are mostly sold from Dong Xuan Market to Hang Giay Street.

Salted dry fruits (ô mai) in the Hanoi night market

For many Hanoians, coming to the night market becomes a habit even when they don’t want to shop, just stroll to feel the atmosphere, chat with family or friends and enjoy some snack.

There are a lot of couples 

Children excitedly play with sand pictures or paint statues. There are a lot of couples hand in hand walking together with smiles on their faces. Many foreign tourists join in the streams of people taking picture; sometimes they stop to select some products. Many of Hanoi or Vietnamese style souvenirs which always cost less than the ones in the shops are sold in the market.

Many of Hanoi or Vietnamese style souvenirs are sold in the market

It’s also a good idea coming to the night market to enjoy food. There is a plenty of food here. People can find bloating fern-shaped cake (bánh bèo), bacon, grilled (nem chua), grilled sausages, Hai Phong bread, etc … at two sides of the market. At the end of the market street, there are more kinds of tasty dishes such as hot pot, grilled food, khuc (khúc) cake, steamed glutinous rice (xôi).    

It’s also a good idea coming to the night market to enjoy food

Fruits treated with salt and chili

Bloating fern-shaped cake (bánh bèo)

Vu Thuy Duong

TRAVEL TIPS:

Even Hanoi Night Market is very interesting and attractive but when you decide to visit Night Market and walking around you should pay your attention. Here some ideas from my experiences when I worked at hotel in Hanoi: 

• Night market is very crowded with a lot Vietnamese and foreigner, and thieves, burglars also...
• You should not bring a lot of money ($200-$300 enough for you shopping)
• You should wear your bag in front of you (not behind)
• Leave your passport, valuable things at the safety box in hotel room or hotel reception desk
• As the products sold were not so different from the Old Quarter during the day